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Dining With Gilles
Reynolds Tavern
7 Church Circle, Annapolis
410-295-9555
Ah, the civilized joys of afternoon tea! Before the word gets out, hurry down to Reynolds Tavern in Annapolis for a wonderfully authentic experience of this delicious British legacy.
Reynolds has created a new niche for itself with its lovely Tea Room, where the menu offers over 16 selections of fine teas from all over the world, traditional teacakes, finger sandwiches and scones with whipped cream and strawberry preserves. Luncheon items are also offered, as are wine and spirits.
Cakes and pastries are made on the premises and served on a bright, eclectic mix of china assembled by co-owner Jill Petit during visits to her native Britain. Having already collected unusual teapots throughout her world travels, Petit wasted no time assembling the rest of the necessary accoutrements that now adorn the establishment she runs with her husband and partner, Andrew Petit.
I took this opportunity to share the day with my good friend Terry, and to get reacquainted with daughter Katelyn. It was a rainy Monday in Annapolis, and we were cold and ready to be pampered—and so were at least twenty other patrons. To our surprise, the room was full (reservations are not necessary, but are requested).
Five versions of "tea" are offered, from a simple cream tea to sweet and savory stylings. We ordered the Reynolds Full Tea ($19.50), which includes elements of all of these plus a cup of soup. We chose the cream of crab, a very distinct recipe, and Katelyn opted for the house salad. The hot chocolate she ordered enthralled her: huge and crowned with a froth of cream, it left little room for real food.
The tea assortment is beautifully presented on a silver, three-tiered stand. On the bottom, a plate of scones (four, the size of a half dollar) were accompanied by containers of preserves and whipped cream. The second platter offered four sandwich selections, with four pieces of each flavor (egg salad, chicken salad with walnut chutney, ham with Dijon mustard, and cucumber and cream) The top layer had two of every kind of sweet: chocolate dipped strawberries, sugar cookies, lemon bars and date bread, all sliced into dainty, bite size pieces.
If you opt for lunch rather than tea, there’s a fine selection of salads, along with sandwich selections like the Reynolds Club, hot toasted ham and Swiss or shrimp salad, plus quiche and coronation chicken, ranging in price from $5.50-9.50.
After our relaxing experience and two pots of Lapsang Souchong Smoke No. 1 and Russian Caravan Original China Blend, Jill gave us a tour of the rest of the house. The Petits also offer accommodations on the second floor of the tavern, in two original suites and one single guest room. All are decorated beautifully with a mix of treasures brought back from England, as well as pieces acquired locally. The rooms have been restored to their original charm with the exception of the new marble bathrooms. Downstairs, on the lower floor, the Sly Fox Pub and Restaurant serves heartier fare and libations.
History tells us that it wasn’t until the early nineteenth century that drinking tea in the late afternoon became fashionable. Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, created the idea when she was unable to control her hunger pangs between meals. It caught on when she invited her influential friends to join her for ‘afternoon tea.’ Isn’t it nice that, two centuries later, we can visit a handsomely restored Georgian mansion in our very own hometown and find this tradition alive and well?
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